Irony In Checkhov's Story Of Efimia

Checkhov, in my opinion, uses the element of irony very well in this story. It is clear that Efimia has been with Andrei for a long time, due to their children. I believe that Efimia has not had any contact with her parents in these years, as Checkhov writes "his [Andrei] wife had given him letters at three or four different times, and had asked him to send them to the village, but important business had always interfered, and the letters had remained lying about unposted." In this quote, I see Checkhov showing Andrei preventing Efimia from contacting here parents in an attempt to keep her isolated and under his control. I see this idea supported by another quote, as Checkhov writes "Andrei returned to his room to smoke until the next patient
should come in, and Efimia suddenly grew still and wiped her eyes; only her lips quivered. She was afraid of him, oh, so afraid!" In this quote, I see Checkhov showing, in just a few lines, that Efimia is activly being abused by Andrei, be it emotionally or physically. This is why I see Checkhov using irony very well as, in the midst of a holiday meant to being families together, Checkhov writes of seperation and abuse.